After months of speculation, the Leafs finally landed Phil Kessel by trading their first rounders in the next two years, and this year’s second round pick. So much for rebuilding. Brian Burke justifies the move with the following rationale:
“It’s a very high price but it’s one we feel makes sense for us and I think what’s made it possible to expend those picks is two focuses: one is that he’s a young player, he’s not even 22 yet,” Burke said.
“And second, we think with some of the players we acquired without giving up picks like Tyler Bozak, (Robert) Slaney, (Christian) Hanson and (Jonas) Gustavsson, these are players that were they available on the draft would command a high price like that. We feel by stocking the cupboard we can take some of the cans off the shelf for the future.”
I’m wondering why Burke offered 2 first rounders though, we could have gotten the same thing by signing Kessel to an offer sheet, and only given up a 1st, 2nd and 3rd rounder. Also we would’ve gotten to watch the Bruins manuever to try and clear up their cap to match it. Who knows, Kessel might end up like Blake.
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